Methal R. Mohmmed Marzouk
Dr. Mohammed-Marzouk arrived to the U.S. in 2005 as an Iraqi Fulbright
Scholar and currently resides in the U.S.. She received her M.Ed.
in ESL, 2007 and PhD in Culture and Curriculum, 2011 from Texas A&
M Un. She holds a B.A. in English Language and B.S. in Chemistry
from Baghdad University. Dr. Marzouk’s research focus is on culture
and cultural identities, cross-culture communication, curriculum studies;
and autobio/ethnography in education.
Address: P.O. Box 16352, Panama City, Fl, 32406, USA. United States

International Muslim Graduate Students in the U.S. as Cultural Agents of Peace: Experiences of Al-Rihla, Stereotypes, and Cross-Culture Communication

Methal R. Mohmmed Marzouk

Abstract

After President Barak Obama‘s historical visits to Cairo, 2009 and Turkey, 2010 it was expected that new doors would open between the Muslim World and American citizens in order to eliminate cultural gaps between the two cultures. One significant door is institutions of higher education in the U.S. as public spaces for educational purposes. In these educational spaces, International Muslim Graduate Students and their American counterparts are expected to work collaboratively and cooperatively to develop a better understanding between the two cultures. This qualitative study examines the experiences of al-rihla of seven International Muslim Graduate Students in a Southwestern American university through in-depth interviews. The participants reflected on three aspects of their al-rihla experiences: Islamic concept of knowledge and al-rihla in search for knowledge; personal experiences; and the impact of the university’s/ departments’ sponsored cultural activities in bringing a better understanding of the Muslim Other. The Content Analysis method was used in analyzing the data. The analysis resulted in six themes: great appreciation of Islamic beliefs of knowledge and seeking knowledge, strong belief in al-rihla as a means to bring mutual understanding of the Other; priority to national culture, limited interaction and communication with American counterparts; stereotypes and concerns; and interest in participating in university administered cultural activities. The study concludes that institutions of higher education in the U.S. are cultural spaces that can be utilized to bring better understanding of the Muslim Other.

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